NEWARK — A series of gun arrests throughout Newark allowed police to seize four firearms and a small collection of hollow-point bullets over a 24-hour span on Wednesday, authorities said.

Members of the department’s gang unit, fugitive apprehension team and 4th and 5th Precinct patrols made the arrests between 2 a.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday, capturing four Newark residents during a string of takedowns that netted police several handguns, one a high-capacity firearm loaded with hollow-point bullets, said Sgt. Ronald Glover, a city police spokesman.

The first arrest happened around 2 a.m., when police found 21-year-old Newark resident Khalif Burney wearing a ski mask on South Orange Avenue, Glover said. Officers recovered a loaded .38 caliber handgun from his jacket and immediately arrested him on weapons charges, according to Glover.

Four hours later, the fugitive apprehension team and several State Troopers arrested Deon Moore, 26, of Newark, on an open criminal warrant, Glover said. When they found him inside of a residence on Horatio Court, police also discovered a 9mm. Intratec, which Glover described as an "assault weapon." The firearm was loaded with fourteen hollow-point bullets.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, officers on patrol near Chadwick Avenue tried to stop 21-year-old Shaquan Breedlove for suspicious activities, but he fled into a nearby apartment where officers arrested him and seized a 9mm. handgun.

Later that night around 9 p.m., members of the city’s Gang and Narcotics unit observed 21-year-old Jessie Aaron, of Newark, adjusting something in his waistband near Renner and Terrace Avenues. Aaron ran off, leading officers on a pursuit through several back alleys before he was finally captured in the 100 block of Huntington Terrace, according to Glover.

The suspect allegedly tossed his firearm during the chase, but police found a loaded .40 caliber handgun nearby, Glover said.

Mayor Cory Booker lauded the officer’s actions and called on city residents to call police when they notice criminal activity.

"I commend the excellence of our police officers in making arrests in these four separate incidents," he said in a statement. "I urge residents to continue to help us build a stronger, prouder, and safer Newark."